Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1887-06-24
Volume mo. 9.
How Johnny Lost His Leech.

1t was boy of who provided last
Sundays fun in the pew of a city
church. His elderly father has been
grouty this spring. and had lot of
lceches applied to his refractory legs.
After the innocent leeches had been
used the old man put the little party
into a tish-globe and made what he
called natural barometer. He drew
my attention to their peculiarities.
When the weather was fine the leeches
were near the top: when it was stormy
they hugged the bottom; when it was
windy they went rattling around like
circus riders. One particularly large
and active leech was the boy favorite,
Johnny tshed him out with paper
cutter, and named him Billy. He fed
him on the back of the cooks neck,
and on his oldest sisters pug dog. SO
Billy waxed lusty and very hilarious.
After hours of play. Billy would be put
back with his relations in the tish-bOwl.
Sunday found the small boy at peace
with all the world, and anxious to
share its pleasures. To that end,
Billy was fished out of the bowl, inn
prisoned in a pomade-pot and carried
off to church.
The boys two maiden sisters were
taking in all the bonnets, and thinking
how sweet their family doctor looked
in check suit when they became con-
scious that their little brother was
groping around their feet.
What is the matter with you?"
snapped the elder; sit up on your
seat.
'.Idon't want to, whimpcred the boy;
II want to find it..
wait till after church" suggested
the other lady, supposing it was china
alley or an agate.
It'll be lost forever if l wait" per-
sisted sonny, '.an' | wouldn't lose him
for dollar
What have YOU lost?" asked the
elder. as she grabbed the boys hand.
that was travelling carefully up her
gaiter.
Billy; hes been gone some time, y
said the boy, almost crying.
Billy the leech?' gasped the horri-
fed woman.
..Do yer s'pose it's Billy the Kid?"
sneered the youngster.
Pale with horror, and all the ghastly
possibilities of the accident: those two,
women rose and pushed out of church.
The boy made rapid search of the
hassocks and CARPETS; and, with sort
of instinct, rushed after his sisters. He
overlook them in the vestibule. Mary
was clutching her clothes in the neigh
borhood of her waist, and holding the
garments rs far away as possible.
Martha was asking her lin broken
tones if she thought she'd got it.
Let me see. says the yoangster,
for she was next to me when Billy
!. skipped;
Martha. thus sencouraged, gave yell,
and elutehed her hustle
20. dear. something just stuck me
like PIN" sobbed the disturbed
maiden.
Billy, for doughnut." shouted
the wretched boy. rs the baiZe-
doors swung open and the people be-
gan to pour out.
What's the matter?' asked an
anxious parishioner of the disturbed
maiden.
They're hunting Billy, my pet
leech, explained Bub; Il let it loose
i'll church.
Amid great laughter the girls es-
capped and flew on the wings of fear to
the paternal mansion. In less time
than they ever undreS>cd before the
ladies diSrubrd and hunted for Billy.
1T must he back in the church." ,"
groaned the lad. - his sisters came
downstairs after the unsuccessful
search.
Twenty minutes later, when the
family and few friends, We're sitting
down To luncheon, there came Il
triumphant howl from the boy. I'm
button me. quick-it'S Billy got him
myself all the time And. sure
enough, Billy had ridden back in safety
in Johnny's Knickerbockers.- Clara
Belle IN Chicago Tribune.